Sarah's Recipe for Romance

This past weekend, my nervous energy about finding an agent and a publisher for my work took a back seat to two love stories. The first unfolded on the pages of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley.  I’d read a number of glowing reviews for Jennifer Ashley’s latest historical and had been eagerly looking forward to reading this much-acclaimed novel. This unique story not only met, but also far exceeded my expectations. From the first page, I was swept away in the love affair between Jennifer Ashley’s tortured hero and her independent heroine. While much has been written about this intriguing novel and how the author weaves Lord Ian Mackenzie’s madness into the story, I merely wish to thank Ms. Ashley for a delightful vacation read, and suggest that anyone who has not yet read The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie order a copy today.

The second love story featured living, breathing people, instead of characters on a page.  On Saturday evening I attended my grade school friend’s wedding. As an avid reader and aspiring author of the romance genre, it should hardly come as a surprise that I love weddings. I adore that magical moment when the bride meets her soon-to-be husband at the altar and smiles up at him quite literally glowing with love. The look on my friend’s beaming face throughout the ceremony and reception spoke volumes. Her happiness shown from the heart, reminding me of my own wedding day when everything seemed so perfect, even the brief rainstorm.  

Perhaps that is one reason so many of us love to witness weddings, to be reminded that the joy we felt on our own wedding day is still with us long after the ceremony, the dancing, and the cake. Or perhaps, this is an overly romantic view (hardly surprising seeing as I spend my days leading my fictional characters to their happily-ever-after). However, I’d like to believe it is the first reason, and that all of the wedding guests were reminded of the happiness in their own lives.  

As the wedding ceremony came to an end, I began to wonder how we, as writers, capture the magical glimpses of blissful love and happiness that I witnessed my friend’s face in mere words? It seems a daunting task. Yet, regardless of what words we chose, in the end, I believe finding those words, and sharing them with others, is a delightful goal indeed.